On Tuesday, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri signed a new law that prohibits local governments from issuing eviction moratoriums. This legislation is part of a broader initiative aimed at reforming housing laws in the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis.
Starting August 28th, a new legislation will prohibit county and local governments from enforcing eviction moratoriums without state law approval. The exclusive power to halt eviction proceedings will now rest with state lawmakers and the governor.
Following a bill signing ceremony at the state Capitol, Governor Parson, a member of the Republican Party, emphasized that the new legislation would enable a more consistent and unified response to health crises across the state.
During a press briefing, he stated that the authority allows individuals to ensure that any action taken is appropriate for the situation and for the state of Missouri as a whole. This ensures consistency in decision-making and prevents confusion or conflicting strategies among various parties.
On Tuesday, Parson signed two bills into law, one of which prohibits eviction moratoriums.
Although tenant advocacy groups have strongly criticized the legislation, it easily passed both chambers of the General Assembly this year without encountering much opposition. The bill also consists of other measures, one of which permits individuals to approach courts and request the removal of “unlawful occupants” from their property.
On Tuesday, Representative Chris Brown, a Republican from Kansas City, explained that the legislation was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the financial losses suffered by property owners and landlords as a result of eviction moratoriums during the pandemic.
According to the latest regulations in Missouri, only the state legislature and the governor, who has emergency powers, have the authority to implement a ban on evictions.
According to The Star, Brown clarified that the legislation aimed to uphold the constitutional rights of property owners and the legitimacy of contract law. He emphasized that the legislation was not a deliberate attempt to harm tenants in any way.
In an interview, Rep. Ingrid Burnett, a Democrat from Kansas City, expressed her strong disapproval of the legislation. She stated that she was “pretty disgusted” by the bill and believed that it hindered the ability of local governments to respond to future emergencies.
Burnett expressed confusion and disbelief over the notion of limiting the actions of public officials who are working directly at the scene. “It makes no sense,” he said. “Why would you restrict their ability to respond effectively?”
The Missouri Association of Realtors and landlord groups supported the legislation.
Missouri Republicans have been prioritizing the passing of a bill that would allow evictions to resume, nearly four years after the Jackson County Circuit Court temporarily put a halt to them due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenant advocacy groups have strongly opposed similar bills in Missouri, arguing that such legislation prioritizes the financial gains of landlords over the wellbeing of renters.
Earlier this year, the Health Forward Foundation, an advocacy group for healthcare based in Kansas City, testified against the bill. According to the group, the bill would prevent local governments from effectively responding to public health crises and addressing the needs of their communities.
In an email statement on Tuesday, Jennifer Tidwell, a principal impact strategist for the foundation, expressed disappointment towards the legislation.
According to Tidwell, our living environments have a significant impact on our overall well-being. He believes that having a secure and comfortable home is crucial for achieving success in various aspects of life, including education and career. Tidwell emphasizes that a stress-free living space can directly affect our health, wealth, and life expectancy in positive ways.
According to the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020, over 127,000 eviction filings have been recorded in Missouri. In Kansas City alone, there have been more than 28,000 filings during the same period.
In response to the temporary halting of evictions by local agencies such as the circuit courts in Jackson County and St. Louis during the early days of the pandemic, Parson signed legislation.
Back in March 2020, the Jackson County Circuit Court decided to temporarily halt the issuance of writs for a period of two months. This decision was made with the aim of safeguarding the health of both the public and court employees. It’s worth noting that writs are typically delivered to tenants in landlord-tenant cases, and are used to mandate the tenant’s eviction from the property.
In an effort to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Louis Circuit Court put a halt to eviction proceedings from mid-March 2020 until July 2020. To further support tenants, the St. Louis City Council approved a 15-day eviction moratorium in December 2021.
There was no statewide eviction moratorium put in place in Missouri.
